Time stamp



E. S. OSTLER oa. 1, 1930.l

TIIE STAI? 5 Sheets-Shed'I 1 Filed Aug. 8, 1924 Q L. l. I AQ .QR kh..

E. s. osrLsR TIIE STAI? 5 Shoots-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 8, 1924 E. S. OSTLER Oct. 7, 1930.

TIME STAMP Filed Aug. 8, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 E. S. OSTLER Oct. 7, 1930.

TIME STAMP 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 8. 1924 Oct. 7, 1930. E. s, osTLER 1,777,889

TINE STAI? Filed Aug. 3s 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented oca 7, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ERNEST S. OSTLEB, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB, BY HEERE ASBIGNIENTS, TO BTROMBEBG ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE TIME STAMP Application filed Augult 8, 1924. Serial No. 780,822.

My invention relates to time stamps and more articularly to electromagnetically operate time stamps.

One of the obJects of myvinvention is to provide an improved electromagnetically operated time stamp having means whereby the hand of the operator positioning the paper or papers tobe stamped can operate a device which will ener ize an electromagnet to cause the stamp hea to operate.

A further object of my invention is to provide a magnetically operated time stamp having means whereby the operation ofthe elecl tromagnet will automatically cause the deenergizing of the electroma net to prevent the stamp head from being` he d down too long.

Further objects will appear from the description and claims.

In the drawings, in which an embodiment of my invention is shown Figurel is a longitudinal vertical section of a time stamp; v

Fig. 2is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig.` 1 Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-4 of F 1g. l showing the magnet-controlling switch open; Fig. 4 is a section on the line 3 4 of Fig. 1 showing the switch closed; n

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the time stamp with y the stamp head removed; Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 4;

and

Fig. 7 is a perspective View of the magnet release mechanism. y Referring now to the drawings in detail, the time stamp shown therein comprises a metal casing member 10 forming a base, a metal stamp head 11 oscillatable'up and down and pivoted at 12 to said base, electrically controlled secondary clock time stamp mechanism 13 carried by said head, a platen 14 for supporting the papersy to be stamped, an electromagnet 15 in said casing base for operating the stamp head, transmission 16 from e `said electromagnet to said stamp head, and a switch 17in the base for controlling the circuitof the electromagnet.

The laten is provided with a pivoted depressib e portion 18, which can be depressed y the operator when lacing papers in posi- 5 tion to be stamped. ransmission 19 is provided from thispivoted platen portion to the switch whereby when this platen portion is depressed, the switch will be closed causing the electromagnet to` be energized and causing the operation of the stamp head.

Means are also provided whereby as the armature 20 of the elcctromagnet is actuated to bring down the stamp head it will automatically open the switch to deenergize the magnet and permit the stamp head to ily up again almost the instant it makes an impression. n

The specific construction of the secondary clock time stamp mechanism is not important so far as the invention claimed herein is concerned.` Any suitable secondary clock mechanism may be used comprising type Wheels, advanced periodically by the periodic energization of the electromagnet 2l carried by the stamp head.

The transmission from the pivoted platen portion to thek magnet controlling switch comprises a link 22 pivotally connected at 23 to the depressible platen portion, a rock arm 24 pivotally mounted vat 25 and pivotally connected at 26 to the link 22, and a swingable link 27 pivotally connected at 28 to the rock arm 24, and having a shoulder portion 29 engageable with the plunger member 30 of the switch mechanism. For limiting the movement of the rock arm 24, two stops 30l and 30b are provided, the stop 30'* engaging the underside of the laten and the stop 30 engaging the side o the casing 10.

In time printing devices it is highly de'- sirable that the stamping action should be uniform rin order to secure uniform printing. In order to secure uniformI stamping and printingiaction I provide a switch construction in which the. contact-making action is substantially uniform, no matter whether the manual action which results in the contactmaking action is made quickly or slowly. For this purpose I providea s ring for closing the switch and a retaining atch for holding it open, which automatically releases the switch to permitit to close under spring action when the paper is inserted. The switch-closing action, and consequently the amount of current supplied to the solenoid,

will thusbe theyfsame regardless of the speed with whicli'th'e paper is inserted.

T he switch mechanism itself com rises in addition to the plunger 30, a switch rame 31 of insulating material in which the plunger is slidably mounted, a bracket 32 mounted on the switch frame, a switch arm' 33 pivoted at 34 on the bracket, a carbon contact 35 fitting in a socket 36 on the switch arm, a bracket 37 mounted on the switch frame, a contact socket 38 mounted on the bracket y37, a carbon contact piece 39 fitted in the contact socket 38 and cooperating with the other carbon contact, a coil tension spring 4() connected at one end with the switch arm 33, and at its lether end to an insulating anchor 41 carried by the spring shifting plunger 30, and a detent 42 pivoted at 43 and having a shoulder portion 44 engagin the pin 45 :mounted on the switch arm and carrying an insulating member 46 engaged and' operated by the end of the plunger 30. The switch is provided with binding screws 47 and 48, the binding screw 47 being threaded into the metal bracket 32 which carries the pivoted switch arm, and the binding screw 48 being threaded into the bracket 37 which carries the iixed carbon contact 39. The circuit'isfrom the binding screw 47 through the bracket 32, switch arm 33, carbon contacts 35 and 39 and bracket 37 to the other binding screw 48.

' This switch is placed in` series with the electrom'agnet coil-so that when closed the electromagnet will be energized. The operation of the switch mechanism will now be described.

When the pivoted platen portion 18 is depressed as shown in Fig. 4, it causes the shoul der 29 of the swinging link 27 to push the plunger in. The rst part of this plunger movement carries the tension spring 40 past its dead center position, but the switch arm is held against movement by the engagement of' the pivoted detent 42 with the switch arm, until the shoulder portion 44 of t-he detent is moved outfromunderneath the switch arm'. `As soon as this takes place, the storedup energy in the tension spring causes a quick snap action of the switchv arm to bring the contacts into engagement with each other to close the magnetic circuit. This closing of the magnetic circuit causes actuation of the armature 20 vthereb causing the depression of the stamp head, by transmission to be described in detail hereafter.

This actuation of the armature of the electromagnet lifts the swinging arm 27 by means of the finger 49, which acts on the pin 50 (Fig. 7) to raise the shoulder portion 29 out of engagement with the plunger` 30, whereupon the coil compression spring 51 `immediately throws the plunger to the left as shown in' Fig. 3, causing the switch to movey to oif position and the magnet to be deenergized. For returning the pivoted platen por'- tion when released by the operator, a coil compression spring 52 is providedseated in 54. This rock lever is rigidly secured withl respect to the pivoted stamp head in any suitable manner as' by a pin 58a extending through the rock lever' and secured to the swinging stamp arm or head.

The stamp head is raised when t-he electromagnet 1s deenergized by means of a coil 'r compression spring 59, one end of which engages a 'shoulder member 60 on the link 54, and the other end of which is supported by a pivoted adjustable abutment 61 which engages the collar G2 on which the other end of the spring is seated. This pivoted abutment may be adjusted in any suitable manner as by means of a screw 63 in the bracket 64 and engaging the arm 65 of the pivoted abutment. 4

vIn use, if it is desired to impress a time stamp on a sheet, the sheet is placed on the platen underneath the stamp head and the operator while positioning thesheet, presses down on the pivoted platen portion 18.l This will close the switch through the transmission, previously described, energizing the electromagnet and causing the stamp head to make the desired impression. l

As the armature 20 swings about its pivot 66, it will at the proper time lift the swinging arm27 to disengage it from the plunger 30 whereupon the switch will fly open deenergizing the electromagnet and permitting the spring 59 to return the stamp head to its raised position.

This automatic release ofv` the electromagnetprevents excessive use of current and also prevents the stamp headl from being held down an excessive length of time. This quick release kot the stamp head is particularly desirable in time stamps pro- .l

vided with secondary clock mechanism, as the type wheels must not be held in contact with the sheet to be stamped during the periodic y movement of the type wheels controlled b the primary clock mechanism.

It will be seen that the construction is such that it may be operated with one hand. The operator can place a sheet of paper underneath the stamp head and cause the actuation of the stamp head'with one hand, leaving the other hand free for other work.

I claim: l 1. A time stamp comprising a base, a table "for supporting the papers to be stamped, a rstamp head mounted on said base and mov` able back and forth and 'cooperating with said l table forstamping the papers thereon, and

manually controllable power means for causing the actuation of said stamp head comprising a manually o rable member carried by said base and adJacent said table and operable by pressure of the hand while holding i for controlling the circuit of the electromagnet, and transmission from said platen portion to said switch for actuating it whereby depressing the platen portion will move the switch to on position.

3. A time stam comprising a stamp head oscillatable u an down, a platen for cooper'- ation with said stamp head, said platen having a depressible portion, an electromagnet, transmission from said electromagnet to said stamp head for operating the latter, a switch for controlling the circuit of the electromagnet, and transmission from said platen portion to said switch for actuating it whereby depressing the platen portion will move the switch to on position, said transmission eomprisin a releasable member for holding said switci in on position, released when the stamp' head is actuated.

4. Atime stamp comprising a stamp head oscillatable up and down, a platen for cooperation with said stamp head, said platen having a pivoted depressible portion, an electromagnet, transmission from said electromagnet tosaid stamp hea-d for operating the latter, a switch for controlling the circuit of the electromagnet, transmission from said pivoted platen portion to said switch for actuating it whereb depressing the platen portion will move t e switch to on position, said switch mechanism comprising a plunger, the platen switch transmission comprising a swingable member engageable with said plunger and movable to release said plunger by its swinging movement, a spring for returning said plunger when released to move the switch to off position, said switch mechanism comprising also a contact member controlled by said plunger, and means actuated by the armature of the electromagnet for actuating said swingable member to release said plunger whereby the electromagnet when ener ized will cause itself to become de-energize 5. A time stamp comprising a stamp head movable back and fort an electromagnet, transmission from said electromagnet to said stamp head for operating the latter, a switch for controlling said electromagnet comprising a contact member, a spring shifting member, and a spring connecting said contact member and said spring shifting member, a spring tending to hold said spring shifting member in off position, a manually operable member movable from a first to a second osition'for moving said spring shifting mem er from off to on position, and means controlled by the stamping movement of the stampi head for releasing said spring shifting member from the control of the manually operable member when in said second position toy permit the spring shifting member to move to off position while theV manually operable member remains in second position.

6. A time stamp comprising a casing forming a horizontally extending base and provided with a support thereahove for the papers to'be stamped, a stamp head oscillatable back and forth and pivoted adjacent one end of said base, an electromagnet in said base for actuating said stamp head, the armature 0f said electromagnet being adjacent the end of the base opposite that at which the 'stamp head is pivoted, and transmission from said armature to said stamp head comprising a plunger in said base extending longitudinally thereof and actuated by said armature, and a spring surrounding said plunger and acting to return it.

7 A time stamp comprising a casing forming a horizontally extending base and provided with a support thereabove for the papers to be stamped, a stamp head oscillatable back and forth and pivoted adjacent one end of said base, an electromagnet in said basefor actuating` said stamp head, the armature of said electromagnet being adjacent the `end ofthe base opposite that at which the stamp head is pivoted, and transmission from said armature to said stamp head comprising a plunger in said base extending longitudinally thereof and actuated by said armature, a vspring for returning said plunger, and means for adjusting the tension of said spring.

8. A time stamp comprising a base, a table for supporting the papers to be stamped, a stamp head mounted on said base and movable back and forth and cooperating with pressure of the hand while holding the papers on said table in position for stamping, and transmission from said manually operable member to said switch comprising a releasable member for holding said switch in on position released when the stamp head is actuated.

9. A time stamp comprising a base, a support for the papers to be stamped, means for stamping the papers, and manually controllable power means for causing the actuation of said stamping means comprising a manually o erable member' carried by said base and a jacent said support and operable by the pressure of the hand while'holding the papers in position for stampinv.

10. A time stamp comprising stamping means, a paper support for cooperation with said stamping means, said paper support having a depressible portion, an electromagnet, transmission from said electromagnet to said stamping means for operating the latter, a switch for controlling' the circuit of Vthe electromagnet, and transmission from sa'id depressible portion to said switch for actuating it whereby depressing the depressible portion will move the switch to on position.

ll. A time stamp comprising stamping means, a paper support for cooperation with said stamping means, said paper support having a depressible portion, an electromagnet, transmission from said elect-romagnet to said stamping means for operating the latter, a switch for controlling the circuit of the electromagnet, and'transmission from said depressible portion to said switch for actuating it whereby depressing the depressible portion will move the'switch to on position, said transmission comprisingy a releasable member for holding said switch in on position, released whenthe stamping means is actuated.

A time stamp comprising stamping meanf'r, a paper support for cooperation with said. stamping means, said paper support havnlgg a pvoted depressible portion, an elect-romagnet, transmission from said electromagnet to said stamping means for operating the latter, a switch for controlling thev circuit of the electromagnet, transmission from said pivoted portion to said switch for actuating it wherebv depressing the pivoted portion will move the switch to on position, 4,0- said switch mechanism comprising a plunger, said transmission comprising a swingable member engageable with said plunger andA movable to release said plunger by its swinging movement, a spring for returning sald plunger when released to move the switch to oit position, said switch mechanism comprising also a Contact member controlled by said plunger, and means actuated by the armature of the electromagnet for actuat- '50 ing said swingable member to release said plunger whereby the electromagnet, when '"energized, will cause itself to become deenergized.

' In witness whereof, I have hereunto subsdribed my name.

` if a ERNEST S. OSTLER.

DISCLAIMER 1,777,889.Ernest S. Ostler, Chicago, Ill. TIME STAMP. Patent dated October 7, 1930. Disclaimer filed December 24, 1934, by the assignee, Stromberg Electric Company. Hereby enters this disclaimer with respect to certain claims of said patent, to-wit: To so much of claims 1 and 9 of said patent, and each of them as may cover a class of machines in which the type setting mechanism is not automatically controlled and in Which the paper is not automatically released afterthe stamping impact; thereby limiting said claims 1 and 9 of said patent, and each of them, to a class of machines in which the type setting mechanism is automatically controlled and in which the pa er is automatically released after the stamping impact.

[Olcz'al zette January 15,.1935.] 

